Journal

How much time has passed? I've found myself back in familiar lands that are.. Discomfortingly unfamiliar.

I can hardly remember my way around, as if the paths in my memory are clouded in a heavy fog that I can't fight my way through. Trell had disappeared from my view before I found myself absent from Valorn and my hopes of seeing him again vanished long ago, along with my sponsor and her bondmate, Luna and Luca. But what about the others I held so dear? I wonder if the likes of Kaballoi, Azure, Awai, and my ever beloved but ever infuriating dagger dad Lowrenzo are still around..

Perhaps an even bigger fear.. Would they even still remember me?

Journal

I'm afraid I have not seen my Trell much lately. We keep missing each other, dozing off only in time for the other to wake... It's infuriating. I hope to see him again soon.

It seems that Low's once bond mate has returned to the lands... I'm grateful that I now have Trell. He distracts me from it, and gives me a love of my own to focus on. I've spent my time these days planning my outfit for the wedding, and I think I'm about ready to begin making it.

Well, I am a little late in my entry of such information, but here it goes...

I'm betrothed. Trell and I are going to be bonded. I'm nauseous and fluttery with anxiety and excitement.. Truthfully I never thought a day like this would come. I should probably point out that they are good feelings, truly. I guess I'm just not used to such attentions and affection.. Perhaps it is why I have, admittedly, rushed into this.. It was my concern when Low hunted me down and, whilst sternly tapping his foot on the ground, asked me where I had gotten that diamond ring. Of course, being the truly devoted dagger father he is, he did address my worries.. He asked if I thought we were rushing into things. Of course, like any good dagger father, he also assured me he just worries about me.. He mentioned that Trell is indeed a fine man, just that he was worried about how fast we were taking things, though he assured me I didn't HAVE to do as he said or listen to him. I hope he knows how seriously I consider his thoughts though, and they have been running through my mind all day. Ohhhh I dreaded it when he sent a note asking me where I was! I felt like a child while I waited for him, like one who knew a grounding was coming!

Then of course in true Lowrenzo fashion, he added that I also had to give him time to farm a decent dowry.

Of course, that would be a concern of his.



As for how it happened.. As usual, Trell and I were simply talking. In a roundabout way he asked if I would be his lady.. I teased him, asking him if he was asking me to be his bond mate, to which he replied he would never ask such a thing without a ring.

I didn't really even think about it, it is such an old, almost tarnished item.. But I slid the abnormally common silver ring from my finger, pressed it into his hand, and said yes.
We made a trip to Rynn in Ryndall almost right then, where he bought me a ring and asked me properly, on one knee and all. Merilee has, he says, agreed to bond us. I'm hoping all my friends will be there.. Azure, Kaballoi, Awai... But most importantly, Low.

If Low cannot give me away, than no one will.

I have also decided to take this chance to practice my seamstress skills I learned as a child.. I hope I can make something worthy of the occasion.


P.S. Trell does not like the cannons and refuses to try a trip in one, he almost had a heart attack when I took one. Unfortunately it wasn't a good trip for him to watch as I had been hoping for, but at least I wasn't torn asunder into tiny pieces.. I just.. Didn't land well!

Journal..

Normally I don't write more than once a day, but I had to share.

I finally made it to the Machine today, and all by myself as well! With enchantments from a Guildmate and blessings from her sister I obtained four gibberish scrolls, one Golden Age Armor Mod scroll, and one Golden Age Teleport scroll!

I'm very pleased with myself and the help given by all my friends.

Yesterday I ran into Iserra and she informed that that New Era was having a party today. I suppose out of curiosity I went. Iserra was worried she would not do well without her bondmate but I encouraged her to go. I told her she would have friends to help her, and she did wonderfully! That is until Lowrenzo left the room for the scavenger hunt. The poor dear seemed to freeze right up!

Trell was our main host at the party but there were a few other New Era members as well. I'm afraid I arrived a little late, after they had started the cooking contest, but they allowed me to enter anyways. I baked my sweet fruit and honey concoctions for them. They seemed to go over well despite the sticky quality, and there were lots of delicious things to taste.

Lowrenzo seemed.. Off to me.. I inquired if all was well, personally of course not in the open, and he said it was.. That he was simply trying not to get smited for being a loudmouth. I concur with the effort not to be smited but... He wasn't as jolly or out there.. He was more withdrawn, and he hardly joked and spoke with me.. He doesn't seem like Low when he tries not to be a loudmouth.. He seems.. Empty...

Ah well.. I'd rather he not get smited I suppose.. Telvonus was there as well, he made a lovely steak with a special sauce. Afterwards we all took part in a New Era scavenger hunt, and guess who won! That's right, me! Trell commented on how fast I was, and on my good memory, and I couldn't help but be a tinge prideful.. Rogues are meant to be quick and light on their feet and I have worked hard to uphold that skill. Each cook got, as Trell put it, a gift more than a prize. I'm not sure if we all got the same thing or not, but I received a beautiful Triton conch shell. One of the New Era members also passed out flower blossoms, bringing my total up to three! I now have a crimson, indigo, and blue.

I have some news on a more personal note.. After the scavenger hunt Trell sent me a message.. He asked me out on a picnic, or to get a drink sometime. Trell, a leader of New Era whom I've hardly spoken to before! I was so startled, but I accepted.. He's handsome and seems very nice. He said that he's had his eye on me for quite some time.. That he likes my style. I've never been so startled and taken back in my life! Who would want their eye on me? And what does he like about my style? I hope he'll elaborate on this eventually.. I can't help but look forward to this rendezvous though. In fact I went to train for a short time before returning myself to Dundee where I ran into Trell..

We all know I have a habit of neglecting myself, forgetting to upgrade my armor and weapons.. Including my Falchions. I think part of me didn't wish to give them up.. They're my Falchions from Lowrenzo and Joy. I think I shall save them though.. Someday I will pass them on to another rogue just starting out.. With my mentors names engraved upon the weapons, perhaps that rogue will engrave my name beside theirs. It would be an honor.. I mention all this because when I ran into Trell in Dundee he gave me a brand new pair of Fine Falchions.. Which I should have obtained a few trips to the trainer ago. He said 'For my lady'.. I didn't swoon, I promise I didn't. Though I did blush, considerably.. I will engrave his name or initials onto these generous gifts..

Oh, and Trell likes sweet drinks.. Like Nectar and Wine.

[COLOR=red][FONT=Optima]My dearest journal...

I have decided its time to record some of my history and even some details about myself. I feel it an odd thing to do, but also something necessary.. Be it for the sake of someone reading this someday when I have gone or just for me to look back on after I've aged.. Whatever the reason I feel compelled. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[FONT=Courier][COLOR=purple]My name is Poene. I am of slightly above average height and I have black hair. I'm told its wavy which is desirable to those with straight hair, but.. I just see it as hair. My eyes are off, it is always something that.. Troubled my childhood. My left eye is green, but bright and venomous while my right eye is an icy blue.. I feel it is prettier, though if only for looking more like gentle things. I am of firm build with curves.. I have worked hard for the musculature I have obtained. When I was younger I had friends on Killican pierce holes in my earlobes, through which I wear lock picks. I admit this is my own personal fashion, though its also useful to always have two at... Ear. I also had them tattoo my skin. Most of the ink is black, bold and powerful.. Trails of wisps and sharp curves, though I am not all stone. I have animals and favorite plants imprinted into my skin as well, for the happiness of memories. These tattoos coat my neck, my chest, my back and my arms and legs.. Perhaps I obtained too many, but I love them.

Though its rare to see any but the tips of them, I have scars across my back.. From a run in with a bear as a teenager. I was bitten by a viper on Killican as a child, though the scars on my leg were masked for the most part by my tattoos. Some of the flesh on my right leg is deadened and useless from the experience, though they saved my muscles. Sometimes though it aches and forces me to rest.

I was born in Caernivale and raised there until I was around five summers. My mother was a cleric with a love for flowers. She derived my name, Peone, from the name of a flower she thought quite lovely. The Peony is beautiful, though not my favorite. Perhaps she had a feeling this would be true, because she altered the spelling and pronunciation of my name to be slightly different. I do not remember much of my father but I know he didn't like me. He left us one summer before we left for Killican, my mother and I... Good riddance. I sympathize for my mother, it caused her to feel lost, but he was not worth her time.

Lets see.. What else is there about me..? Not much I'm afraid.. I always took a shine to the rogues and pirates and so I have chosen the path of the rogue. Luna Wolftear was my sponsor but I fear she has gone from the lands long ago, as well as her bond mate Luca Farstryder. Kaballoi and Lowrenzo were infallible in my training and I have joined them long ago in their guild. The Vanguard. Lowrenzo, Awai Isoyami and Azure Greenhills are my best friends. I couldn't do anything without them and I hold them all dear to my heart.

I suppose I should mention I have always been a loner.. But for a few pirate friends I feel awkward around people. I never used to care about being near them I liked to be alone.. But after making friends here in Valorn I have changed.. I have realized that I want the company.. In fact.. I like it. Yet I have trouble making conversation in large groups, I tend to fall silent and just listen though I wish to join in. I do better in smaller groups but even then.. I struggle. I feel odd.. I wish I could be more social like the others.

Something else I've come to terms with once you start to know people is.. Well, feeling for them. The first was my friend Dregar, though nothing came of it and he's been gone from the lands for a long time. There is another but I don't feel right.. Feeling for him? I suppose even loving him. I'm too embarrassed to say anything, and I'm not sure I ever will say anything. He's such a good friend I wouldn't want to risk making things awkward. A person I wish to love.. Meanwhile there is another man... He is oh so nice, and.. Well, I'm sheepish to say it but he has kissed me. Twice I believe.. The problem is I don't know him all that well.. I like him but I'm unsure I can return his affections..

Being social is so confusing. As is telling about myself, I don't believe there is anything more to tell, really. Good-bye journal. [/COLOR][/FONT]

I sit, at this moment, beside Low in the Dundee Inn.

My heart leaps and flutters when I know it shouldn't.. Ever. As he told a dear friend of his earlier, an old courtship in fact, I am his dagger daughter.

What I should and should not feel.. I look past it how much I can. I have my best friend back at least, and it makes me smile.

Lowrenzo is back.

Apparently he has been seen a few times the past few days, but I have been disconnected from the happenings and people for personal reasons lately. I'm hoping this shall be fixed soon enough.

I saw Low's tracks and followed them in hopes of catching him before he fell into a slumber but I'm afraid I was too late.. I left him a note and a Pirate Ale for old times sake.. A while later Avedis approached me with a message from Low! He drew himself up with such a serious face I grew worried... Anxious that it was very important, or perhaps ill news... Only to find out that the message was simply 'Hiya!'

That Avedis, worrying m until my stomach twisted and ached, and he knew he was playing with me too! I nearly threw a mug at him but I decided that his love may not be happy with me.

....Besides, there was still pirate ale in that mug and I wasn't going to waste such a precious thing.

Still I am disappointed I have yet to speak with him myself.. And 'Hiya!'? Oh Low... It is such a him thing to say after so long. Perhaps I also just care too much for him as well. It makes me hope for more from the old brat.

I hope to see him soon.

Also, Azure took me to N'Rolav for the first time today to get new armor. It's beautiful and I'm excited to have made the trip for the first time. Azure paid for my armor, though she 'snuck' the money into my pouch and pretended not to know anything about the sudden increase in money. I know better though.

Between Lowrenzo, Awai and Azure.. I am truly blessed with the best of friends.

I dozed off while writing this and missed Low speaking to me from right beside me in the tavern! Off I go to follow in hopes he is still awake... I am disappointed in myself.

I visited the trainer once again today.
Once I was done, while feeling ambitious, I retrieved my Scarab Shield, though I am disappointed to say I cannot use it until I visit the trainer three more times! Ah well, it was good training and at least I have it for when the time comes.

Once again, Awai has proven to be an infallible source of support and friendship.

We've also determined that we're both known for being too generous as rogues. I told Awai he was doing just fine and he was just paving his own way amongst the path of Rogues. We have determined that we are two of a kind, and jokingly phrased ourselves the 'Rogue's in Arms'.

Needless to say, it was an amusing evening. Now it's time for me to rest... Good-night dear journal.

An update on today.

On top of visiting the trainer, finding a treasure box, obtaining the Admiral's Cloak, I have now obtained my leather armor and enchanted skull helm!

This is all thanks to Awai Isoyami.
He gave me a list of things I should do to start with, and then saw me off to the start with the cloak. After that he informed me of what I would need for my quest in Branishor.. I obtained the empty jar, and we got me the helm... When it came to my new armor however I mentioned I would have to farm for quite some time to afford it as well as more health potions as I needed. He offered to provide me as much money as I needed... I told him I would not turn down help and I would be most gracious, but I wouldn't, no, I couldn't ask for anything... It was too much. He smiled and met me in Milltown, where he provided me with enough plat to afford the armor once I sold my current armor, health potions, sandclaw bursters and salves... More than I could have ever, ever hoped for.. I found the fire elemental much more easily than I thought I would.

I accomplished much tonight with the help of someone I truly know I can call a friend... I haven't been this happy or felt so accomplished since the last time I was around Lowrenzo, whom I still hope to see soon..

I couldn't be more grateful to the Gods unless they were to bring Low back. Praise be to them.